A Li’l Bit of Love

Devotional: …………………….….………… “Down On My Knees”……………………..………Lillian C. Javellana Editor’s Thoughts: ……………………..……… “A Li’l Bit of Love” …….….…….. Ardys Joy Caballero-Gadia

Featured Items: 1. Photos of Ed and Ellen Zamora at Death Valley National Park ……..………… Ed Zamora

2. From Fat Zeros to Bingo ……………………………………………….. Laurence T. Gayao

3. God’s Gift ………………………………….………………….. Medilyn Albaran Cardeinte

4. Our Story …………………………………..…………………………..……. Manuel Alamo

5. God’s Amazing Love ………………………………………………………... Melodie Sowa SULADS Corner …………………….…..…. “ The Awakening” ………….. Sulad Mailyn Calago, Quezon, Bukidnon SULADS Thailand ……………………..………. “God’s Refining Process” …………. Sulad Jhun Cardeinte, Thailand SULADS Thailand ………………………………... “My Little Gems” …………………… Sulad Job I Cabañero, Thailand Patch of Weeds: ………………….……………………………………………………….…..…….………………….. Jesse Colegado LIFE of a Missionary: …………..…….. “Talaud Island’s Manee Festival” ……………….………….. Romy Halasan

CLOSING: Announcements |From The Mail Bag| Prayer Requests | Acknowledgements

Meet The Editors |Closing Thoughts | Miscellaneous

Devotional: “Down On My Knees” Lillian Javellana, BSN’81

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NKJV

was in the kitchen preparing breakfast one morning. While my veggie sausage was cooking on the stove, I washed the piles of pans and dishes on the sink when I accidentally spilled water all over the floor. I was in a hurry to finish things so I was a bit annoyed with what

happened. I had no choice but clean up the spill before someone slips and falls. Grumbling, I got down on my knees and started wiping the mess off the floor. While I was down on my knees I noticed that there was more mess than I had noticed before. There were dried crumbs under and between the cabinets, the oven and the refrigerator. There were grease stains on the sides of the oven. I thought to myself, “I really need to get that cleaned one day. But it wouldn't be that easy. The broom won't even fit in there and the vacuum cleaner will not be able to suck up all that dirt. I need to drag that oven out to be able to clean the space between it and the cabinet. I’ll need to spray and scrub the stubborn greasy dirt on its sides. That will be a lot of work.” I was already feeling tired just thinking about it. But while I was down on my knees, I was reminded of the spiritual dirt in my life that also needed cleaning. It is when I am down on my knees before the spotless Lamb of God that I can really see the filthiness of sins in me. It is when I am down on my knees that I really see my need of a Savior to lift me up from my sins. And it is at the foot of the cross where I can see the price of my sins. JESUS paid that price. It was not easy work to clean the filthy sins in my heart: it cost Him His life! He shed His blood and gave His life for me. He cleansed me within and without. Every single particle of sin that had been hidden from the surface of my life, Jesus saw them all and cleansed them all. All I had to do was to ask him and invite Him into my heart and He did all the cleaning. But unlike me as I cleaned my floor, Jesus did not do it grudgingly nor did He grumble. Instead, He did it ever so willingly and lovingly. There is power in the precious blood of Jesus. As long as I continue to keep Him in my heart, His cleansing power will continue to keep me clean daily and no one will slip and fall because of me. Dear Jesus, thank You for washing my sins away. Please keep me pure and clean in Thy sight. "Create in me a clean heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" so others will not slip and fall because of me.

Lillian C. Javellana

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Editor’s Thoughts: “A Li’l Bit of Love” Ardys Joy Caballero-Gadia, BSN’91

his week, the Death Valley National Park in Eastern California (a 4-hour drive from Loma Linda) is bursting with vibrant colors after the usually arid landscape was blessed with the bit of rainfall this winter. What normally are lifeless-looking sand dunes, badlands and salt flats is

now teeming with life! Some national park experts write that Death Valley National Park is the 2nd biggest national park in the United States after Alaska while others itemized the regions in Alaska calling them the 4 largest parks and ranked the Death Valley as the 5th. Suffice it to say, Death Valley is one large arid park with an annual average rainfall of 1.4 inches. Native Americans lived in the Death Valley area before the first white man came. They hunted from seasonal migrations and gathered pine nuts and mesquite beans. Then in 1849 a party of emigrants came which included three negro men. For some reason, the group got recorded in history as the Black Forty-Niners. Many of the emigrants died but as silver and borax were discovered, more people came including Chinese workers who built Panamint City in the 1870s. Another group came to work in the successful mining operation at Harmony Borax Works. They made a road 160 miles long through the salt pinnacles and raked the borax off the valley floor from 1883-1888 when the last 20-mule teams rolled out of the valley. Like those workers who came, they too disappeared leaving only bits of broken bottles and pottery shards. What happened to all these people? Where did they go? Nobody knows but the name Death Valley stuck. In 1942 when a riot broke out at the Manzanar War Relocation Camp, 65 Japanese and Japanese-American internees were brought to Death Valley for their safety. They were housed in the old CCC Barracks at Cow Creek for approximately 3 months. They lived and worked with a skeleton crew of National Park workers before jobs were found for them and they were moved to other parts of the country.

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Zabriskie Point offers a spectacular view of the

badlands. Death Valley, located in California and Nevada, is dry with summer temperatures reaching to 134°F (57°C) in July.

Badwater Basin in Death Valley is 282 feet (86

meters) below sea level and is also the lowest point of North America. The cracked flats cover nearly 200 square miles of table salt, literally.

Eureka Dunes in Death Valley are the tallest dunes in

California but it is the singing sands that draw many visitors to this site! When the winds blow, you will hear the sand sing in heavy bass tones sounding like airplanes!

Wildrose Peak Trail at Death Valley still smells like

smoke from the kilns that were built in 1876. The kilns were used to process silver and lead ore. They are no longer in operation today.

Above are some photos of Death Valley National Park. It certainly has its own unique beauty. But right now because of the rains received this winter, we are astounded to see a lush landscape bursting with wildflowers! Who would have thought! This makes me realize once more that no matter how bleak or deathly things may seem… like the rain water Death Valley received – a little bit of love and compassion goes a long way! It certainly will make a huge difference to the giver and the receiver.

Joy Caballero-Gadia

Photos of Ed and Ellen Zamora at Death Valley

National Park

Salt on the ground

White marks how high the sea level is at from where we stood below sea level

From Fat Zeros to Bingo Laurence T. Gayao

hroughout my high school years and the first two years of college at Mountain View College, I was a working student paying my way through school even though my parents were both faculty members. Although I noticed quite several attractive ladies on campus, I was just too

busy working to be involved in any romance plus I did not have the luxury of having money. One of the attractive ladies I noticed during my freshman year in college was from Iligan City. She was fair skinned and well groomed. Her beautiful contralto voice quickly made her popular on campus. She seemed to be always surrounded by friends, especially boys. She however left after one semester.

On my last year at MVC, I was the ROTC corps commander. During the pinning ceremony and officer party for commissioned officers, we had to have an escort. Since I did not have a girlfriend and since most of the attractive ladies had boyfriends, I ended up asking a buddy’s girlfriend to fill in because my love life at MVC was a fat zero. But I remember some of my MVCian friends asking me to write their love letters to girls they were attracted to. It must have worked because some are together to this day! After two years of college at the hilltop, I moved to Philippine Union College (PUC) to pursue my pre-med studies. I was on a full government scholarship and living in the dorm was a new experience. While at PUC, I saw the attractive lady from Iligan City. Did she get bored at MVC and move to another school? I did not know. After a year and two summers at PUC, I graduated. It was a busy time for me because I was cross-enrolled at the UP Diliman and MCU so that I could finish my BA pre-med within three years. Again, my love life was a fat zero at PUC. Medical School at UERMMMC was both fun and hectic. There, I joined a fraternity and eventually became its head. We had parties in the homes of our well-to-do members. They would invite ladies from exclusive girls’ schools like St. Paul and Maryknoll Colleges in Manila. The poor boy from Bukidnon recognized that these ladies were from the higher echelon of Philippine society. He also understood that they were not of his league and did not have the same Adventist values that he still had deep within himself although his lifestyle during that time certainly did not reflect those values. When I went home to MVC for a vacation, my mother decided to take matters into her own hands and surprised me by inviting some ladies that she wanted me to meet. Being a surprise, she naturally did not tell me anything. Meanwhile, I went out of town riding my motorcycle and enjoying the countryside. Since there were no cellphones at that time, she had no way to get in touch with me. So the party went on without me and my love life in medical school was a big fat zero again. At PUC, I saw the attractive lady from Iligan City. After a few days in PUC I saw again this attractive lady

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from iligan City that was in MVC for a while, but she did not stay long that year. Must have gotten bored and moved to another school. After obtaining my medical degree, Dr. Willis Gentry Dick invited me to train in Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital (MSH) now the Adventist Medical Center of Iligan City and guess what? That same attractive lady with the beautiful contralto voice was working at the hospital laboratory! Because there were no computers at that time, I had a legitimate reason to personally go to the laboratory for my patients’ lab reports. Engaging the technicians in conversations, I found out that the lady was Miss Edith Cabus. One afternoon after work, I decided to go downtown to an electronic supply store as my hobby at that time was making my own radios and amplifiers. Luck had it that Edith was there too waiting for a ride home. So we took the same jeepney and greeted each other. She asked me where I was headed to and I replied, “Arkai Electronics.” After a short while, the jeepney rolled to a stop in front of her home and she got off. I got off as well. Surprised, she looked at me and told me this is not Arkai. I merely smiled and said, “I know” as I escorted her into her house. That evening, I met the rest of her family whom I found to be warm and friendly. On top of that, her mom was a very good cook. That was the first of many visits I made to their home as they made me feel like part of their family. We got married on February 13 forty-five years ago. From having a fat zero love life, I certainly hit the jackpot.

Bingo!

God’s Gift Medilyn Albaran Cardeinte

gift from God is my ex-boyfriend because now he is my husband! The pain brought by my previous relationship has pointed me to

the one who has the perfect love. I earnestly prayed for the right one, and indeed the right and perfect one did come to my life. The wrapping of that gift all started on the 2nd floor of MVC library. Unbeknownst to me, he was sitting somewhere in the corner with his eyes already set on me. I did not realize anyone was observing me; I was however amused to observe this quiet guy who always had his backpack on. He was a bookworm and he befriended me. His friend Glendon Arriesgado introduced us and our friendship grew each day. That friendship with him brought on my treasure of precious notes and greetings from him. His thoughtfulness would go on, picking me up for a walk or going to an appointment and taking me back to my place, and eating out at MVC’s Fast food was also one of those sweet moments. He then asked me to be his BSST (Branch Sabbath School Teacher) with a purpose of knowing me better and see if I would be fit for the ministry. This is the wrapping of my man. Then not long after, God had placed him in a beautiful box in the ministry. Our relationship was centered on prayer and communication. The MVC Jubilee Park was the place that witnessed all our communion with God. He daily asked me from God and God has prepared my heart to accept this precious man. The acceptance was never that easy but there is this one sign that I prayed secretly to God for, baptism. I only prayed for one baptism in our MS assigned church but at the end of the term, God in His wonderful outworking had given us seven precious souls. I asked for one but God has given us the perfect number, so I took it with all my heart, in full faith that Jhun is the perfect one for me. And on September 7, 2003, right after the closing ceremony of the Ministerial Seminar, I fully accepted God’s perfect gift to me, Mr. Alejandro “Jhun” Cardeinte. The beautiful journey together as sweethearts did not come to us with an easy start. After 3 weeks he then flew to Korea to be an MVC missionary for a year. On the threshold of our relationship

we were away but when both of you make God the center of your relationship, everything will work out well as you desire it under His precious will. I admit, I really am very sensitive and emotional at times which means we really needed to be in touch regularly. With the help of technology, we made it a rule to keep in touch daily through emails, yahoo messenger chats, phone calls and also regular posts. This agreement included my getting a grade not lower than B- in all my subjects. It was tough on our time and finances but it was well worth it!

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Then after a year, he came back to continue his Theology course and after a year he graduated. I was still in my senior year and he decided to fly here in Thailand. That time, I asked God for a last sign. If he was really the one, God would provide me airfare going to Thailand after I am done and He did! My sponsor during college, Mr. Alex Jayme sent me money enough for an airfare as my reward for passing the LET. So, I came to Thailand and after 3 years of being in a relationship, our commitment got sealed on August 13, 2006 and now in our 11 years of a mission filled life God gave us a boy and a girl and a foster daughter from the tribe Jhun had served when he first came to Thailand. Jhun is a man with a big heart, a man with the eyes of Caleb, humility of Moses and mission of Jesus! I am married to a man with unquestionable dedication to the work of God. I got married to a man of God, he is perfectly wrapped by God to do a very especial work for Him in His vineyard. I believe that God had especially wrapped me too, that together with our little family, we will be a gift to the young People of Thailand and all the people that our ministry could reach. Proverbs says that “blessed is a man who finds a virtuous woman,” to me, I would say “most blessed is the woman who finds a man of God and is married to him.” God’s mission is our life!

Our Story Manuel Alamo, Sr. BSAg’67

t is said that "the college campus is the most fertile place to look for a life partner". The year was 1961 when I went to Mountain View College. I was a senior high school

student (4th year) and I was 22 years old. As a student, I planned my social life to be in adherence with the school policy so I avoided going into relationships. Courting one of the girls at the dormitory was not for me because although I was older, I was still in high school. So during those early years at MVC, I developed platonic friendships with everyone. My plan was to wait until I was a junior in MVC and almost finished with my education.

The school year 1964-1965 found me on my third year at Mountain View College. Life for me was full of challenges then. My school activities such as work and study, taking a full load academically and the spiritual activities of my life for my personal growth were pressing me and now I have to consider who among my friends of the opposite sex would I choose to be my life partner, who would stand by my side as a support in my life's journey. Monday the first day of school, during the school year 1964-1965, I went to the college cafeteria (Building F was the main cafeteria then) to eat my breakfast. I went to the cafeteria a little late that day. Almost all the students had left the cafeteria and were on their way to the Florence Kern Auditorium to attend the first chapel period of the first semester. When I looked around the cafeteria, I could see only a guy sitting next to me with a female student across the table. Both were eating their breakfast. Another female student was seated across from

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my table and was also eating her breakfast. The guy and his female friend left and the lady in front of me also excused herself and left the cafeteria to attend the chapel period.

I was seated near the cafeteria exit eating my breakfast when I glanced at the cafeteria counter and saw a new student. Her long flowing hair was tied up in a ponytail and she carried her breakfast tray towards the table where I was seated. Gently placing her tray on the table, she sat across me and prayed for her food. After the prayer I greeted her good morning and she replied. Unsure of how to start the conversation, I asked her how she felt about her life at Mountain View College. She told me that life at the hilltop college was very lonely. She said that when she looks at Mount Kitanglad across the valley, she felt like crying. I assured her that this feeling is normal for new students at MVC. I advised her to develop many new friends among both the students and faculty and to keep herself busy so that she could overcome her loneliness.

When she was done eating her breakfast, I gracefully offered to return her tray at the cafeteria counter and we parted ways. She went back to the cafeteria and I went to attend chapel period. I did not know the name of the lady I conversed with at breakfast and neither did she know mine. I thought a lot about her and promised myself to find out her name. If only I could do something to reconnect our cafeteria conversation I will do it to get better acquainted with her, I thought to myself. But this opportunity seemed very remote to happen with me. As the days of the first semester turned to months I had tried my best but to no avail. The best I could do was just to secretly observe her. One day I went to the library to read some newspapers to update my knowledge of the current events. My roommate’s girlfriend Jesse Aceron who was working in the library, asked me to

convey her best regards to my roommate Oseas Acquiat. I said yes I will tell Oseas. Then she asked me who in the girls dorm would I want to send my best regards to. I grinned and told her that I am still hunting and I have not caught somebody yet. So Jesse offered to give my best regards to someone. Blindly I said yes; I had no clue who my regards was going to be given to. This blind conveying of best regards had been going on for three weeks. I ask Jesse who the person was she was giving my best regards to. Jesse said I will show her to you. When she showed me at a distance the person to whom my blind best regards was conveyed to, she is no other than the new student I had a short conversation with in the college cafeteria the very first day of the first semester. On October 23, 1964, last chapel period of the first semester of the school year 1964-1965 I scribbled a concise letter expressing my deep love and sincere affection to Miss Miriam M. Mabilog a Bible Instructor student at MVC. Second semester is another social activity of my life with Mir: writing love letters, sending Sabbath greetings, doing thoughtful acts of kindness, socializing during Saturday nights, strolling in groups after the MV Sabbath afternoon meetings, thanksgiving date and dinner dates after the sundown worship. But all these seemed nothing to Mir. But my prayer had been always, “Lord if Mir is the lady you have for me who will walk with me in all of my life's journey, teach her to love me. If not teach me to forget her." Love begets love. As days and months went by, things changed. God had answered my prayers. After more than five months of courtship, on April 11, 1965, I received the long awaited beautiful letter from Mir, with the closing signature, "Affectionately yours, Mir." Thanks be to God for all His providential leadings in the affairs of His children who are willing to submit their will to His will and follow Him in their lives. In April 1967, Mir and I graduated together from Mountain View College. She finished her Bible Instructor Course, while I finished my Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree. May 13, 1968, we tied the knot of our loving relationship in marriage at Odiongan Seventh-day Adventist church, in Odiongan, Romblon. Our home was blessed by God with four children (two boys and two girls) and ten grandchildren (5 boys and 5 girls).

God’s Amazing Love Milady Sowa

od's love is an amazing thing that we His children are able to experience while we're here on earth. How much more delightful and wonderful experience it will be when we get to heaven someday.

Glenn and I were joined together by God's heavenly blueprints. First of all, God led me to serve at the 1000 Missionary Movement in Silang, Cavite after my graduation from Mountain View College. That was my Thanksgiving "One Year For The Lord" service. On the other hand, Glenn also has dedicated his life to serve as a student missionary from Weimar College, California to Tawi-Tawi Academy in Mindanao for a year and a half. When there was a kidnapping of a Bible translator at another island, all foreign missionaries were evacuated from Muslim island territories to the mainland. Glenn then came to the 1000 MM where I was serving. We both taught English to the Korean missionaries for few weeks then I was assigned to another territory. Glenn and I were just acquaintances at that time because I had a Korean boyfriend. A few months passed and by then my one year service was over. My Korean boyfriend went back to Korea after his missionary service and stopped communicating with me due to strict Korean culture on not marrying another race. I believed that one of the Korean leaders had encouraged him to make that decision. I was so broken-hearted that I vowed that I was not going back to the 1000 MM and don't want to see the culprit's face again. God was really worried about me because He knew that when I make a vow, I see to it that I make it happen. He gave me a month to grieve, then He showed His will by giving me a dream. In my dream, I am teaching the Korean children and I saw Dr. Jairyong Lee there. Dr. Lee was our director at the 1000 MM. Such a wonderful man of God. When I woke up that morning, it didn't bother me because it was just a dream. The next night, the same dream came. It was kind of puzzling but I didn't mind because I'm not going back there anyway. Third night, same dream. Fourth night, same dream. I argued with God, "Lord, you know I'm not going back there." Fifth night, same dream. Sixth, seventh night same dream! Finally, I said to the Lord, "Lord, you know that in my heart I'm not going back there but if you really want me to, I will go, but if they won't ask me to teach there I will just say 'hi and bye' to my friends then come back home and that's our deal!" So, I traveled from my sister's home in Bulacan to Cavite for 4 hours. On the rugged path to the 1000 MM campus, I met Dr. Lee, our director (in my dreams). He stopped his car and came out and talked to me and asked how I was doing...just a simple "hi and bye." Then I said to myself "I will just keep walking for half a mile to see my friends then come back home. I'm already here anyway." When I reach the campus, the "culprit" (as I thought of my break up) was the second person I met with a smile on his face greeting me. I said to myself in our language "pa smile smile ka pa." He

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then asked about me and what I was doing. I told him I'm applying for an RN job in the Manila area. He then asked me if I would like to teach English to the Korean children (in my dreams) who are coming from Korea for a tour. Of course I made a promise to the Lord that if I'm asked to teach, I will. So I said "yes." He then called Dr. Lee on the phone and they agreed and I was re-hired! He then said, "Go meet Glenn Sowa in the guesthouse. He is the English coordinator." I said "okay." I went to the guesthouse and hid behind the door of a room and cried bitterly before God because I finally surrendered my stubborn will to Him and my hatred/bitterness toward the "culprit" That was the beginning of meeting Glenn Sowa again who then became my husband after a year. Dr. Lee officiated our wedding (first wedding in the missionary chapel) Our first room where we live for few months was the same room in the guesthouse where I cried bitterly before God. Glenn and I are happily married for 21 years with our two precious boys now 19 and 16 years old. We live in Folsom, California serving the Lord and supporting laymen missionaries in the Philippines. Our missionary motto is "Once a Missionary, Always a Missionary." I hope you enjoyed our love story which I entitled "God's Blueprint"

“Awakening” By Sulad Mailyn Calago. Quezon, Bukidnon

“As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous

is an everlasting foundation.” (Proverbs 10:25, KJV)

n this day and time, sometimes we can think that we have not gone astray, but things happen which we deem unjust or unfair and we end up questioning whether we deserve such events.

On the sunny day of August 31, 2014 a certain student was playing with his beloved puppy. Many passersby saw the child and the puppy play. The people of the village could hear the child’s gleeful exclamations as he frolicked with his puppy. "Punch me! Punch me!" the child playfully chided his puppy as they ran around tagging each other. The weather that day was pleasant; the sun warmed the face of the Earth while the cool breeze caressed the fields. The world appeared all right, like nothing could go wrong. Nobody expected that the day would suddenly take an unexpected turn. That afternoon, we were forced to send the children home early as the weather suddenly became deteriorated. All of a sudden, rain poured in torrents and with it were alarmingly strong gusts of wind. The villagers hurried to prepare for the downpour when a whirlwind suddenly appeared. The whirlwind quickly flattened the rice fields and outhouses near the paddies were blown into smithereens by the force of the wind. Now in that village, the people believed that when one teases or taunts animals, especially dogs and cats, divine retribution will strike the one who made fun of the animal. According to their belief, lightning will strike the individual and leave him physically deformed or could even result in his death. This event was called anit. Because of the sudden change in the weather, many claimed that the gods were angered by the little boy taunting the puppy earlier that day, hence the raging skies were in fact an anit meant for the little boy. However, we were unconvinced as an anit was usually accompanied by lightning and thunder.

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The wind swept through the village like a raging bull, flattening everything in its path. We feared that the homes would not be able to withstand the onslaught as the houses in the barrio were only made of lightweight materials. My partner and I fell on our knees, praying for protection for everyone in the barrio. After the whirlwind had passed and the commotion had died down, my partner and I hurried to check on the villagers. We went out to check if everyone was safe and if anybody was in need of help. We were very happy to find out that despite the harsh weather condition, everyone in the barrio was safe. No one got hurt and every house in the village, save one, escaped unscathed. There are times we tend to forget God but rest assured God never forsakes us. He always watches over us even if we live a sinful life. There would be times when God would send us challenges to remind us to call upon Him. Sometimes trials are simply wake up calls to remind us of our need to return to the feet of Jesus.

© SULADS International, Inc. If you would like to support this mission program dedicated to taking the Gospel to the people of Mindanao, please write a check to Gospel Outreach. Mark it for the SULADS and send it to: Gospel Outreach P.O. Box 8 College Place, WA 99324 You may also donate to the SULADS using your credit card by logging on to Gospel Outreach's donation site (http://www.goaim.org/) and follow the directions. Again, mark it for SULADS. If you would prefer, you may write your check to the General Conference of SDA and mark the donation for SULADS and send it to: General Conference of SDA Donations 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 Thank you for your support of this very important project. If you do not want to receive any more newsletters, Unsubscribe To update your preferences and to unsubscribe visit this link Forward a Message to Someone this

“God’s Refining Process” By Sulad Jhun Cardeinte, Thailand

ulad Somchai Raothao and his wife Sukanya are currently serving as SULADS Field Supervisor at the same time working at Maesamai Village in Thailand. Last month we spent a lot of time promoting the SULADS Student Missionary Program. We went from

church to church and we thank God for leading us and keeping us safe as we traveled. This experience of gave us opportunities to talk to many people in different churches, hear about their life experiences and pray with them. I am so thankful to God for using me to share the love of God and to share the progress of God’s work done through SULADS program. We know our inabilities and the reality is that by ourselves, we can't do anything at all. As we see the work grow by God’s grace, we ourselves have experienced the spiritual growth and maturity.

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Sulad Loy (Khammalinh) is a new sulad missionary. He is young and inexperienced. During the training, he didn’t contribute much in our discussions. But to add to the SULADS promotion effort I brought him and Sulad Boy (Niphon) to a big church at Kunsanai Village. That church has many young people and we believe God is calling them to take a leap of faith and join the missionary program too. During the Sabbath School, Sulad Loy had shared his personal testimony about what his life was like before he committed it to God and what God has done in his life so far as he completely surrendered it to God. I was really touched by his testimony. I believe God used him to encourage our young people. As God is refining us, the mission work is a process God has for us as it gives us opportunities to obey Him. Serving God in the mission has helped Sulad Loy grow into a mature Christian.

“My Little Gems” By Sulad Job I. Cabañero, Thailand

t's been a while since we've been doing volunteer teaching here in our village. We feel tired and I think this is normal especially since I was not trained in teaching children and it has been a long time since my teaching experience in Tawi-Tawi. Fortunately, we are adjusting

and are starting to understand the language. Our teaching load helped us in learning Thai although the goal is to learn the Hmong language. We are positive that in due time, little by little, we will overcome this struggle. Now, I am enjoying my teaching ministry to my little ones-- the kindergarten. I now understood why one of my friends really likes to teach them instead of the older ones. Slowly, with God's grace, I was able to teach them some short choruses and songs. They were also able to present these songs during school events and Sabbath days. They can also understand already some short instructions, questions, and answers like yes and no. I feel so fulfilled to see my kindergarten students growing and learning the things I'm teaching them. These precious souls always remind me of what faith must I have. It should be childlike—solely dependent on God's promises, providence, and grace. Yes. To teach them needs a lot of effort, of patience, of love, and of understanding. And yes, I get tired too. But the thought of God's great love for me--of Him never getting tired of me--keeps me going.

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(Terrible) Excuses Why Men Forget a Gift

on Valentine’s Day

10. The florist couldn't find your house. Did you move?

9. I sent a candygram. Someone must have eaten it.

8. The Hallmark store was closed, and I didn't want to send less than the best. 7. I sent an e-mail card. You never got it? AOL must have messed up again!

6. I left a voice message to meet me for dinner. Where were you?

5. I didn't know you liked jewelry.

4. I thought Saint Valentine's Day was a Catholic holy day.

3. Your mailman must have been shot in a post office massacre. 2. I thought we would do something different this year.

1. I thought it would mean I was making a commitment.

And The Plus One Excuse: + 1. You didn't remind me. (from GCFL)

Famous Sports Quotes

"Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."

--Football commentator and former player Joe Theismann

"I'm going to graduate on time, no matter how long it takes." --Senior basketball player at the University of Pittsburgh

"You guys pair up in groups of three, then line up in a circle" --Bill Peterson, a Florida State football coach

"That's so when I forget how to spell my name,

I can still find my clothes." --Stu Grimson, Chicago Blackhawks left wing,

explaining why he keeps a color photo of himself above his locker.

"You guys line up alphabetically by height"

--Bill Peterson, a Florida State football coach

"I play football. I'm not trying to be a professor. The tests don't seem to make sense to me, measuring your brain on stuff I haven't been through in school." --Clemson recruit Ray Forsythe, who was ineligible as a freshman

because of academic requirements

"I know the Virginia players are smart because you need a 1500 SAT to get in. I have to drop bread crumbs to

get our players to and from class." --George Raveling, Washington State basketball coach

"Why would anyone expect him to come out smarter? He went to prison for three years, not Princeton."

--Boxing promoter Dan Duva on Mike Tyson hooking up again with promoter Don King

"I can't really remember the names of the clubs that we went to." -- Shaquille O'Neal on whether he had visited the Parthenon

during his visit to Greece.

(from Cybersalt Digest)

A Mommy Moment

our-year-old Mitch loved candy almost as much as his mom Ann did. He and

Daddy had given her a beautiful heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentine's Day.

A few days later Mitch was eyeing it, wishing to have a piece of it. As he reached out to touch one of the big pieces, Ann said to him, "If you touch it, then you have to eat it.

Do you understand?" "Oh, yes," he said, nodding his head. Suddenly his little hand patted the tops of all the

pieces of candy. "Now I can eat them all." (from ArcaMax Jokes)

Be Mine

y high school English teacher was well known for being a fair, but hard,

grader.

One day I received a B minus on an essay. In hopes of bettering my grade and in the spirit of the Valentine season, I sent her an extravagant heart-shaped box of chocolates with the pre-printed inscription: "BE MINE."

The following day, I received in return a Valentine from the teacher. It read: "Thank you, but it's still BE MINE-US."

(from Mikey's Funnies)

Valentine’s Gift

en, who was 17 years old, was buying an expensive bracelet, to surprise his girlfriend on Valentine's Day, at a very smart jeweler's shop in Los Angeles.

The jeweler inquired, "Would you like your girlfriend's name engraved on it?"

Ben thought for a moment, grinned, then answered, "No, instead engrave 'To my one and only love.'"

The jeweler smiled and said, "Yes, sir; how very romantic of you."

Ben retorted with a glint in his eye, "Not exactly romantic, but very practical. This way, if we break up, I can use it again."

(from Doc's Daily Chuckle)

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Icy Windshield

he driver of a car with an ice-covered windshield had several near-accidents before being stopped by a police car.

"Don't you think it would help if you cleaned the ice off the windshield?" the officer asked.

"I don't think so," was the reply. "I left my glasses at home."

(from Da Mouse Tracks)

Remember

emember the day I borrowed your brand new car and I dented it? I thought you'd kill me, but you didn't.

And remember the time I dragged you to the beach, and you said it would rain, and it did?

I thought you'd say, "I told you so," but you didn't.

Do you remember the time I flirted with all the guys to make you jealous, and you were? I thought you'd leave me, but you didn't.

Do you remember the time I spilled strawberry pie all over your car rug?

I thought you'd hit me, but you didn't. And remember the time I forgot to tell you the dance was formal, and you showed up

in jeans? I thought you'd drop me, but you didn't.

Yes, there were lots of things you didn't do, But you put up with me, and you loved me, and you protected me.

There were lots of things I wanted to make up to you when you returned from Vietnam.

But you didn't. -- Author Unknown (as seen in Weekend Encounter)

CHOCOLATE KISSES by Kathe Campbell

ack in the dark ages when I turned eleven in Ms. Daisy Blogg's classroom, the

most wonderful thing happened -- I fell in love. It was magical as Buddy O'Toole and I zinged whimsical grins across four rows of sixth grade desks. I was tall for

my age and just about as gangly as they come, while Buddy was short and just about

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as round as they come. But it hardly mattered, for nearly all the boys were shorter than

the girls. My mother assured me I was experiencing "puppy love" and that Buddy was just slow shedding his baby fat.

Memories of chocolates and surprises beset my every thought as Valentine's Day drew near. I could barely wait to hear what our teacher had planned as our tall classroom

windows glittered with familiar sweet red angels and assorted hearts. Would we cut and paste tiresome construction paper, add bits of ribbon over paper lace doilies, and exchange the results? Gladly, no. We had made that big step from childhood to

upperclassmen and could create our own valentines at home, or purchase them at the local five and dime.

"Please bring a decorated container with your name clearly marked on the outside," announced Ms. Blogg. "You will make enough Valentines for every box." How familiar

that sounded as I pondered two scruffy and cantankerous boys who still dipped pigtails in inkwells despite the principal's wrath. And, of course, equality prevailed to include

our class haughty and mean-spirited girl. While the ladies fancied Valentine greetings, the sixth grade boys were not as sold on

the custom, suddenly all too juvenile, silly and mushy. Regardless, Buddy told me to make sure my container was at least as big as a shoe box, that he had been working on an idea. 'Twould be my first experience on cloud nine.

Walking to school, none of us escaped the cloudburst and squall swirling about the

playground as we and our Valentine treasures ran for cover. The swings and trapezes banged and twirled, ensnarling their chains around and around, then a sudden lull while they untangled at breakneck speed.

After placing our wet boxes on the window sills above the radiators, we spent the morning glancing at the wrinkled and fading coverings. Ribbons and strings hung in

limp shambles making strange arrays of bleeding pigments and hues upon all they touched. Nonetheless, for the girls the day dragged endlessly as we contemplated the

party and sharing of our treasures. As Ms. Blogg read the history of Valentine's Day aloud, a sudden psst, psst, psst,

emanated from the radiator. The class broke out in giggles as we watched chocolate drip, drip, dripping from a corner of the big red shoe box marked, "Kathleen." I glanced

over at Buddy, but there were no smiles or giggles, just horror written all over his face. He had spent his allowance on the newest Hershey sensation -- foil-wrapped chocolate kisses, each pasted meticulously upon a sensational card.

For Buddy, the welcomed three-o'clock bell rang and the class gathered their Valentines under their coats for the drizzly trek home. I caught up with Buddy in the hallway and

asked him to meet me across the street at the library. After choosing a corner spot, I set the table with his lovely chocolate-covered card and the knurly candy kisses. We

sat and talked until a grin crossed Buddy's chubby cheeks. We then finished off the remains of a Valentine box neither of us ever forgot. (Letter by Miri as seen in Inspiration Plus)

Fast Talker

t a country-club party, a young man was introduced to an attractive girl.

Immediately he began paying her court and flattering her outrageously. The girl liked the young man, but she was taken a bit aback by his fast and ardent

pitch. She was amazed when he seriously proposed marriage after only 30 minutes. "Look," she said, "we met only a half hour ago. How can you be so sure? We know

nothing about each other." "You're wrong," the young man declared. "For the past five years I've been working in

the bank where your father has his account."

(from ArcaMax Jokes)

Nice Boy

ne night a teenage girl brought her new boyfriend home to meet her parents, and they were appalled by his appearance: leather jacket, motorcycle boots,

tattoos, and pierced nose. Later, the parents pulled their daughter aside and confessed their concern.

Trying to be diplomatic, Mom said, "Dear, he just doesn't seem like the all-American boy you've dated before. He's not really that nice."

"Oh come on, Mom," replied the daughter. "If he wasn't that nice, why would he be doing 500 hours of community service?" (from Mikey's Funnies)

She Loves Me

ir, your daughter says she loves me, and she

can't live without me, and she wants to marry me."

"And you're asking my

permission to marry her?"

"No, I'm asking you to make her leave me

alone." (from Clean-Laffs)

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Loving Replies

group of women were at a seminar on how to live in a loving relationship with their husbands.

The women were asked, "How many of you love your husband?" All the women raised their hands.

Then they were asked, "When was the last time you told your husband you loved him?"

Some women answered ... "today," a few ... "yesterday," and some ... "can't remember."

The women were then told to take out their cell phones and text their husband - "I love you, Sweetheart"

Next the women were instructed to exchange phones with one another and read aloud the text message they received in response to their message.

Below are 12 hilarious replies. If you have been married for quite a while, you understand that these replies are a sign of true love. Who else would reply in such a

succinct and honest way? ~ Who IS this?

~ Eh, mother of my children, are you sick or what?

~ Yeah, and I love you too. What's wrong?

~ I don't understand what you mean? ~ What now? Did you wreck the car again?

~ Am I dreaming?

~ Don't beat about the bush, just tell me how much you need?

~ What did you do now?

~ If you don't tell me who this message is actually for, someone will die. ~ Your mother is coming to stay with us, isn't she?

Kinda tugs at the heart, doesn't it? (from Mikey's Funnies)

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WHAT IS LOVE?

group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4-8 year olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails

anymore so my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca - age 8.

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is okay." Danny - age 7

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still

want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss." Emily - age 8

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby - age 7

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." Nikka - age 6

"There are two kinds of love, Our love. God's love. But God makes both kinds of them." Jenny - age 8

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day." Noelle - age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after

they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6 "During my piano recital I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the

people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore." Cindy - age 8

"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to

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sleep at night." Clare - age 6

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine - age 5

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Brad Pitt." Chris - age 7

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 5

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." Karen - age 7

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age 8

(from Mikey's Funnies)

When You Fall in Love With….

What happens when you fall in love with:

A chef? (You get buttered up.)

A chauffeur? (You get taken for a ride.)

A gambler? (He cheats on you.) A telephone operator? (He gives you a phone-y line.)

A trashman? (He dumps you.)

A clockmaker? (He two-times you.)

A pastry cook? (He desserts you.)

A shoe salesman? (He walks all over you.) An elevator operator? (He lets you down.)

An artist? (He gives you the brush.)

A jogger? (He gives you the run-around.)

(from Mikey's Funnies)

Valentine’s Day Gifts

im asked Tony if he'd gotten his wife anything for Valentine's Day.

Tony said, "Yes I did. I bought her a bag and a belt." Jim was shocked, "Really? That was very kind of you. I'm sure she will appreciate those."

Tony replied, "I hope she appreciates them too and I hope the vacuum cleaner works a lot better now."

(from Mikey's Funnies)

Love Languages

"Do you love me with all your heart and soul?" asked Becky on Valentine’s Day.

"Mmm hmm." replied Dave.

"Do you think I'm the most beautiful girl in the world?"

"Mmm hmm." "Do you think my lips are like rose petals?"

"Mmm hmm."

"Oh Dave," gushed Becky, "you say the most beautiful things!" (from Cybersalt Digest)

Do You Love Me?

“Do you love me?”

“Of course!”

“Then whisper something soft and sweet

in my ear.” “Lemon meringue pie!”

(from ArcaMax Jokes)

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Talaud Island’s Manee Festival

his week let me take you to a part of the Indonesian islands with proximity to the Philippines. Miangas, the capital of North Sulawesi is 78 miles from Davao City and lies 50 miles southeast of Mindanao.

Talaud Islands (Indonesian: Kepulauan Talaud) is a group of islands located north of Sulawesi Island in Indonesia and northeast of the Sangihe Islands. The Talaud Islands is also the northernmost region of Eastern Indonesia, bordering Davao Region of the Philippines. The group of islands, with a total area of 495 square miles (1,281 square km), includes Karakelong (the largest), Salebabu, Kaburuang, and numerous islets. The Talaud Islands is a marine area composed of Karakelang, Salibabu and Kabaruan islands. There is also an island called Sara’a Island, an empty island with beautiful scenery. Sara’s island is located between Karakelang and Salibabu Island. Grouping Talaud together with Sangihe, there are 77 islands in the Talaud-Sangihe archipelagoes, 56 of which are inhabited. The total population of the Talaud and Sangihe islands was 209,574 in 2010. Most of the population is involved in agriculture, which includes coconuts, vanilla, nutmeg, and cloves (used in making cigarettes.) Numerous volcanoes produce very fertile volcanic soil on many of the islands. Talaud Islands is called paradise because of the gorgeous natural view. Volcano, mountain, and beaches are just some of what Talaud has. There are also nice waterfalls in the area. Mount Piapi is the highest mountain in Talaud, approximately 864 meter (above sea level). Talaud is also known for some of its waterfall. This place is also known as home for the Maleo, a rare bird in North Sulawesi and is also considered the pride of the province. Talaud Islands is one of the most isolated areas in Indonesia. It has a great potential to be a tourism destination but since it is remote, only few daring tourists go there.

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The seven tiny Nanusa Islands lie northeast of Karakelong and with good forest cover with hills rising to 2,231 feet. Talaud produce ebony and ironwood as well as copra, the islands off the very north coast of Manado that seem to form a kind of bridge from southernmost part of the Philippines are known as Sangihe & Talaud.

At Talaud, Indonesia

Manee Festival of Talaud

arine resources are in decline worldwide, including in productivity, biodiversity and ecological relationships in oceans. The causes of decline are increasing human populations and irresponsible fishing. However there are several traditions practices by islanders in

Indonesia that support conservation or preservation of marine resources for their future generation. One of them is Manee, a fishing tradition in Talaud.

Manee has been done by the Kakorotan Islanders in Talaud Sub District in North Sulawesi Province for years. Indonesians want this tradition to be preserved and passed on through generations as it represents the core value of modern conservation or sustainable fishing. Considering the importance of Manee for preserving marine resources, a yearly festival called Manee tradition has been observed. Christians dominate Sangehi and Talaud so the Manee festival is like a thanks giving to God for the blessings coming from the sea.

Below are some of the videos for Manee Festival and Talaud. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8xy8EoGek4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MjAN57bIIo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4JgrnqieUk

At Talaud’s Manee Festival. Villagers using eco-friendly methods of fishing: laying fish nets made of coconut leaves

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SDA Mission covering Talaud, Indonesia

SDA Church at Sangehi

Sabbath Potluck at Talaud Church

Snake Fruit at Talaud

Cooking fish at Davao Oriental

Parolas at the tip of Davao Oriental

I visited the remote Sangehi-Talaud Mission, which is part of East Indonesia Union Conference. I was invited to be the Sabbath fellowship speaker of about 7 churches in the tip of Davao Oriental called Parula. There are several parulas (light houses) in this place that serve as protection to the many ships plying the Pacific Ocean. With only 2 hours travel to Talaud, several Adventist fishermen mentioned that they use to go to Talaud to fish. While in Sangehi-Talaud Mission, I met a Filipino who just arrived from the Philippines without passing the Indonesian Immigration. In the island of Sangehi where our mission is located, there are many prisoners mostly fishermen from the Philippines who were caught fishing in the Indonesian waters. It should be observed that many of our fishermen from General Santos City want to come to Sangehi and Talaud because these islands have plenty of Tuna fish. It’s heartening to know that in these remote Indonesian islands close to the Philippines, we have many Adventist members. An Indonesian I met is married to a Filipina and their business is to buy fish in Talaud and transport them to the Philippines to sell. In their return trip they bring food items to sell to the Indonesians. Please pray for our SDA members in the islands of Talaud and Sangehi.

Romy Halasan,

Indonesia

Licensed RNs for the U.K.

RNs INTERESTED IN WORKING in the U.K.?

FOUR SEASONS COMPANY is looking for RNs to work in the United Kingdom and will be in the Philippines on February 14-26 to recruit hardworking Filipino nurses. MVC School of Nursing alumnus Sam Nazareth, who currently serves in Chicago, IL, has been happily working for this company for 10 years now and would love to see MVC alumni members join their team. For more info, please contact MMA Healthcare Recruitment 0063 9063389963 or 0063 9494682648 or www.mmarecruitment.com. Or message Sam Nazareth in Facebook.

Alumni Calendar When What Where For More Info

Apr 01-05, 2017 AORN Int’l Convention Boston, MA Lily Bell Durias (Facebook) May 31-Jun 4 Philippine GYC (PYC) Iloilo City West Visayan Conference Aug 02-05, 2017 ASI Int’l Convention Houston, TX www.asiministries.org Sept 1-5, 2017 MVCSN Alumni Reunion Cancun Ted Ray Llasos (Facebook) Dec 28-31, 2017 GYC Phoenix, AZ www.gycweb.org 2019 Summer (TBD)

MVCSN Golden Anniver- sary Reunion

MVC Campus Devaney Bayeta, Pres MVCSN Homebase Chapter

2019 Aug 12-17 Int’l Pathfinder Camporee Oshkosh, WI www.camporee.org

VCSN Reunion Sept 2017. Cancun, Mexico

MVC School of Nursing USA Chapter Advisory Committee and officers met this week and are

organizing a MVCSN Reunion with Nursing Symposium (CEU opportunity!) included.

WHAT: MVCSN USA Chapter Reunion & Symposium

WHEN: September 1-5, 2017 (5 days, 4 nights)

WHERE: Cancun, Mexico

ACTIVITIES: Nursing CEU classes, socials, sports, swimming, etc.

COST: $399/person (shared room) or $798/couple with up to 2 kids under age 12.

This cost does not include your airfare to get to Cancun. This all-inclusive cost for the resort

covers the following:

o hotel accommodation,

o concierge service,

o unlimited buffet meals or a-La

Carte at any of the three

restaurants,

o unlimited domestic drinks,

snacks, room service,

o sauna and steam room,

o two pools with wide beach,

o use of tennis courts, all hotel

taxes and gratuities included.

o all non-mechanical sporting

equipment

o banquet night and food,

o shuttle to/from airport.

COST, EXTRA STAY. If you wish to stay a few days before and/or the reunion, additional

cost of $75/night for the same coverage.

RESORT ACTIVITIES FREE to our group, if you are interested. Windsurfing, Hobie

Cats, Kite Surfing, Kayaks, Yoga, Pilates, Latin Rhythms, Aqua aerobics, horseshoes, etc.

CAN non-members of MVCSN USA Chapter come? Yes! However, all must register with

the MVCSN Association of America.

What a cool once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to combine work and play in a paradise setting where

you can bring your loved ones at a very inexpensive cost.

For More info or to reserve your spot at Cancun: contact our president Ted Ray Llasos in Facebook or Cellphone (956) 607-2299.

Attn: Peri Operative Nurses

ATTN PERI OPERATIVE RNs. (Pre-Op, Outpatient Surg, Sterile Processing, OR nurses,

PACU, etc.) The International Convention sponsored by AORN will be held on April 1-5, 2017 at

Boston, Massachusetts. The Association of Peri-Operative Nurses or AORN is offering financial

aid to attend the event. MVCSN grads are going. If interested, housing and meals with MVCians

can be coordinated.

Learn the latest and greatest in perioperative nursing. Upgrade. Get CEUs. Network with colleagues

around the world. Sample new products. Talk with surgery supply vendors and distributors.

Experience simulations. See. Touch. Hear. Interact. LEARN LEARN LEARN.

For more info . https://www.aorn.org/surgicalexpo

To coordinate with MVCians (housing, meals, etc): Lily Bell Durias.

URGENTLY Needed:

Alumni Tribute to (brief write up about) outstanding female leaders who happen to be MVCian ie: worked at or was educated at MVC for at least 1 semester or 1 summer. Include her name, why you believe she is an outstanding leader, and some specifics as you remember. For the Womens’ History Month Issue of CyberFlashes. DEADLINE: March 1, 2017. Send to any CF editor

Acknowledgement

I wish to thank the following for their contribution in this week’s issue of CyberFlashes:

To those alumni members who shared their love story: Laurence Gayao, Manuel

Alamo, Medilyn Albaran Cardeinte and Melodie Dolar Sowa.

Lillian Javellana for the devotional

Ed Zamora for sharing his Death Valley National Park photos.

Jessie Colegado for the chuckles in “Jessie’s Patch of Weeds”

Romy Halasan for the Philippine History story in “Life of A Missionary”

Jun Cardeinte, Job Cabañero & Gospel Outreach for“SULADS’ Corner”

Evelyn Porteza Tabingo & Ed Zamora for their help in editing

Meet The Editors

This week’s issue of Cyberflashes was by Ardys Joy Caballero-Gadia. Next week’s issue will be

by Lily Escara Lare. Please direct all entries to her or any of the editors.

NAME: EMAIL ADDRESS: Eddie Zamora ezamora594 at aol dot com

Evelyn Porteza-Tabingo etabingo at gmail dot com

Jessie Colegado Cyberflashes at gmail dot com

Joy Caballero-Gadia watermankids at yahoo dot com

Lily EscaraLare Lylare at hotmail dot com NEW!

Melodie Mae Karaan-Inapan melodieinapan at yahoo dot com

Raylene Rodrigo-Baumgart raylene.baumgart at gmail dot com

Romulo ‘Romy’ Halasan romsnake at gmail dot com

If you wish to subscribe to Cyberflashes, to unsubscribe, or if you changed your email address and want

Cyberflashes to be sent to your new address, please send your request via email to any of the editors. We

spell out the @ and dot signs in the email addresses to prevent worms, viruses, and robots from harvesting

them. If you would like to correspond, simply substitute the correct symbols.

Prayer Request

PRAYER REQUEST: Pray that we will seek a much deeper walk with Christ in 2017 and be able

to lead loved ones and neighbors to the Lord.

PRAYER REQUEST: Starting Jan. 1, the Adventist Church’s Middle East and North Africa

Union (MENA) will start a special 80 Days of Prayer relay. We will be featuring the Union’s prayer

requests, and we invite you to join us in praying for this region.

PRAYER REQUEST: Pray for your church to be drawn closer together during the 1st Quarter

Day of Prayer and Fasting on Jan. 7. If your church is not planning to participate, pray for how you

can help make it happen. The theme is “The Battle Belongs to the Lord – Fighting for Our Church.”

(Download materials)

BRIEF FACTS ABOUT MENA: MENA stretches from Morocco to the west, Iran to the east,

Turkey to the north, and Sudan to the south. The region has about 520 million people in 20 countries

with 13 un-entered cities that have populations of more than 1 million. After more than 100 years

of work in the region, the church remains small in membership and faces numerous challenges. As

we pray for MENA this week, let us remember everyone, including lay members, pastors, frontline

workers, and administrators.

SPECIFIC MENA REQUESTS: Pray for the big cities in MENA, particularly the 13 un-entered

cities. Pray for the thousands of refugees flooding parts of this region. Pray for God to open many

hearts to His truth

PRAYER REQUEST: COMFORT FOR THE BEREAVED FAMILIES OF:

Jovita P. Solis, Wayne Chavit, Nanette Chio, Kerry Tortal, Elmore Jornada, Rolly Boniales, Pastor Rudy Bermudez, Celia Mendez, Venus Pasco, Necito Ruado, Malachi Zamora, Pura Alsaybar,

PRAYER REQUEST: FOR HEALING

Rebecca Antemano, Roxie Pido, Virgie Osita, Neneng Sanes, Pastor Oseas Zamora, Pastor Remelito Tabingo PRAYER REQUEST: The leadership and spirituality of all the MVC Faculty and Staff; the

students, the family of the students. The college itself.

Continued Prayer Request for Gary’s safe return. A person who was so active in church activities in California then in Virginia, he went to the Philippines to study medicine. Sadly, last month he went missing and his truck was found abandoned. Nothing makes sense. No further clues have been found. Philippine authorities are actively working on the search.

Closing Thoughts By The Editor

A li’l bit of love. A li’l bit of rain.

It made a big difference at the Death Valley National Park this week.

A li’l bit of love. A li’l bit of prayer. Will make a big difference in whatever you seek.

Whisper a prayer in the morning,

Whisper a prayer at noon Whisper a prayer in the evening

And keep your heart in tune.